Can a Broken Steering Gear Be Repaired?
2 Answers
In general, a damaged steering gear can be repaired. The specific situations are as follows: Automatic Return Function: Most vehicle steering wheels have an automatic return function. For cars equipped with hydraulic power steering gears, the automatic return function may weaken due to hydraulic damping. However, if the return speed is too slow, it indicates a malfunction in the return function. Such faults usually occur in the steering mechanical components. Pulling to One Side: When driving on a cambered road, the car naturally tends to pull to one side. If the camber is significant, the pulling becomes more noticeable due to external factors. After ruling out tire pressure issues, it is likely caused by loosened or broken mechanical components in the steering gear.
A couple of days ago, my old car's steering gear was creaking badly. The mechanic took it apart and said a seal inside had aged. It cost me a few hundred to replace a repair kit, and it was fixed. However, he mentioned it depends on luck—if the steering wheel becomes extremely stiff and the car pulls to one side, you’d likely need to replace the entire steering gear assembly. Currently, refurbished parts on the market cost just over 2,000, while new OEM parts run around 5,000 to 6,000. For my over-ten-year-old car, I opted for the refurbished part. Just a heads-up: if you notice any steering issues, address them immediately—it’s a matter of life and death! I heard about someone who kept driving with the problem, only to suddenly lose steering control on the highway. Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.
